Topical Bible: Diseases: Physicians Undertook the Cure of

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the practice of medicine and the role of physicians were recognized, though often viewed with a degree of skepticism or caution. The Bible provides several references to physicians and their attempts to cure diseases, reflecting the medical practices of the ancient Near East.

Old Testament References

The earliest mention of physicians is found in the account of Joseph. When Jacob died in Egypt, Joseph commanded the physicians in his service to embalm his father (Genesis 50:2). This indicates that physicians were skilled in certain procedures, such as embalming, which required knowledge of the human body and preservation techniques.

In 2 Chronicles 16:12, King Asa of Judah is noted for seeking the help of physicians in his illness: "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but only the physicians." This passage suggests a reliance on human expertise over divine intervention, which is presented in a negative light, emphasizing the importance of seeking God first.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides further insight into the role of physicians. In the Gospel of Mark, a woman suffering from a bleeding disorder is described as having "endured much under many physicians" and spent all she had without improvement (Mark 5:26). This account highlights the limitations of medical knowledge and the desperation of those seeking healing.

Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, is identified as a physician (Colossians 4:14). His background may have influenced his detailed accounts of healing miracles performed by Jesus, emphasizing the divine power over human ailments.

Jesus and Healing

Jesus' ministry included numerous acts of healing, which often contrasted with the efforts of contemporary physicians. His miraculous healings served as signs of His divine authority and compassion. In Matthew 9:12, Jesus states, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." This metaphorical use of a physician underscores the spiritual healing He offers, beyond physical cures.

Cultural and Religious Context

In biblical times, diseases were often seen as manifestations of spiritual or moral issues. The Levitical laws provided guidelines for diagnosing and managing certain conditions, such as leprosy (Leviticus 13-14). Priests, rather than physicians, were responsible for declaring individuals clean or unclean, indicating a blend of religious and medical roles.

The Bible acknowledges the existence and efforts of physicians, yet consistently points to God as the ultimate healer. While human attempts at curing diseases are recognized, the scriptures emphasize the importance of faith and divine intervention in the healing process.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 8:22
Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 9:12
But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
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Luke 4:23
And he said to them, You will surely say to me this proverb, Physician, heal yourself: whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in your country.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Thou Canst Make Me Clean"
... Of all diseases known in the East the leprosy was ... not, like the Pharisees, and even
the physicians, pronounce a ... to Jesus, and this they gladly undertook to do. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 27 thou canst make.htm

Motives from the Benefits of Work
... If physicians should only read a public lecture on physic ... for the curing of all their
diseases; and that ... Before we undertook this work, our hands were full, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article i.htm

For whom did Christ Die?
... In other diseases men are grieved at their ... prove his indignation against transgression,
yet undertook the cause ... doctrine to say that physicians exercise their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/for whom did christ die.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... these two most serious diseases, insatiate avarice and ... rebuked, [4483] threatened,
reproached, undertook the defence ... he summoned the best physicians, he betook ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... the dissolution of the diseased person than effect his cure. ... to gambling, and to
those diseases to which ... William Capers undertook a tour through the state of ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... Isis undertook it, carried it through successfully, drove out the poison, and ... Isis
weaned them from cannibalism, healed their diseases by means of medicine or ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Footnotes
... of principal of the University of Glasgow was disjoined from the cure of the ... to prevent
any one's going in or out except such physicians, surgeons, apothecaries ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... and, translating the Holy Scriptures into their own language, undertook to instruct ...
my strong hope in Him, because Thou didst cure all my diseases by Him ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm